The Ultimate Guide to Owning a Website

Social media platforms come and go. Marketing trends rise and fall. But your website? That’s the one piece of online real estate you actually control. Think of it like owning property versus renting space. Social media is rented land. A website is your own home.

When you own a website, you own:

• Domain name (your online address).
• Hosting (the land your website lives on).
• CMS and tools (the framework that powers your site).
• Content and design assets (the part your visitors see).
• Security, maintenance, and optimization (the behind-the-scenes work that keeps it running).

Too often, I see business owners treat their websites like one-time projects instead of living, evolving assets. They launch it and forget about it—until something breaks or traffic dries up. That’s like buying a car and never changing the oil.

The goal of this guide is to shift your mindset from website user to website owner. By the end, you’ll not only know what goes into owning and managing a site—you’ll have the clarity to make smarter, long-term decisions about your digital presence.

This is the same roadmap I’ve been walking clients through for more than 15 years—first as the creator of Quiroz.co's Divi Tutorials, then as founder of Monterey Premier, and now as a consultant and trusted guide for businesses in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois and across the USA.

So let’s dig in.

When people say, “I own a website,” what they often mean is, “I paid someone to build me a site.” But ownership goes deeper than that.

To truly own a website means you—or someone you trust—has full control and stewardship over those very important five things mentioned above. I will mention it again to emphasize the importance of these 5 items:

• Domain name (your online address).
• Hosting (the land your website lives on).
• CMS and tools (the framework that powers your site).
• Content and design assets (the part your visitors see).
• Security, maintenance, and optimization (the behind-the-scenes work that keeps it running).

Each of these layers is essential. Skip one, and you risk losing control, damaging your brand, or even having your website disappear.

Throughout this guide, I’ll link out to in-depth articles on each topic, so you can dive deeper where you need it.

What Is a Domain Name?

Your domain name is the digital street address for your brand. It’s what people type into the browser to reach you—like yourbusiness.com.

Think of it as the front door to your online property. Without it, visitors have no way of finding your site.

How to Choose the Right Domain for Your Business

• Keep it short and memorable. One or two words, max three.
• Stick with familiar spellings. Avoid unusual words that are hard to remember.
• Match your brand name when possible. Consistency builds trust.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers. They confuse users and sound unprofessional.
• Think about future growth. Don’t lock yourself into something too narrow.

Example: If you run a coffee shop called “Seaside Roasters,” seasideroasters.com is simple, brandable, and future-proof.

Top Domain Extensions in 2025

• .com is still king—trusted worldwide.
• .ai is trending for tech and AI-driven businesses.
• .co works well for startups and global brands.
• .org still fits nonprofits and community groups.

Choosing the right extension can reinforce your brand positioning.

Branding With Domains

Consider buying multiple domains for:

• Common misspellings
• Alternate extensions
• Location-based versions (e.g., montereywebdesign.com)

This helps protect your brand and gives you flexibility in marketing.

What Is Website Hosting?

Hosting is where your website files live. Think of it as the land your digital house is built on. Without hosting, your domain is just an empty address.

Types of Hosting

• Shared Hosting – Cheapest option. Dozens of sites share the same resources. Works for hobby sites, but not recommended for businesses.
• VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server) – Mid-tier cost. You get dedicated resources on a shared server.
• Managed WordPress Hosting – Optimized for WordPress. Comes with security, speed enhancements, and expert support. This is my go-to recommendation for small-to-medium businesses.
• Cloud Hosting – High scalability. Great for large businesses or websites with heavy traffic.

Hosting Costs in 2025

• Shared: $5–$15/month (limited features, fine for personal use but not recommended for businesses).
• Managed WordPress: $20–$60/month (best value for SMBs).
• VPS/Cloud: $50–$200/month (enterprise-grade for high-traffic and/or highly-customized sites).

How to Choose the Right Hosting Provider

• Prioritize uptime (99.9% or better).
• Look for security features like SSL, firewalls, backups.
• Check for responsive support (24/7 availability).
• Consider scalability—can it grow with you?

What Is a CMS?

A Content Management System (CMS) is the software layer that lets you build and edit your website without needing to code everything by hand.

Think of it like owning a house:

• The foundation and framing (HTML, CSS, PHP) are the raw building materials. If you had to work directly with those, you’d need to be an architect and contractor rolled into one.
• A CMS is like the interior design layer—it gives you walls, rooms, furniture, and fixtures already in place, so you can focus on arranging, decorating, and customizing the space without pouring concrete or wiring electricity yourself.

In other words, a CMS provides the tools and structure that make managing a website approachable for non-developers, while still allowing professionals to customize and extend it when needed. WordPress, for example, is the world’s most popular CMS because it balances ease-of-use for beginners with endless flexibility for advanced users.

Why WordPress in 2025?

WordPress continues to be the leading choice for website owners in 2025 — and for good reason.

• Powers 43%+ of all websites worldwide – From small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, WordPress is trusted across industries.
• Thousands of plugins and themes – Whatever feature you need (SEO, eCommerce, memberships, booking systems), there’s likely a proven plugin ready to go.
• Strong developer community – With millions of users and contributors, you’ll never be locked into a platform that no one supports. There’s always someone who can help.
• Long-term flexibility – Unlike closed systems, WordPress is open source, which means you’re not tied to one company’s roadmap or limitations. Your website can grow as your business grows.
• Ownership and control – Perhaps most importantly, you truly own your WordPress site. Unlike website builders that keep you boxed in, WordPress lets you decide where to host, how to customize, and when to scale.

In short: WordPress gives you the best of both worlds — the ease of a ready-made system with the freedom and scalability of a custom-built platform.

Page Builders Like Divi, Elementor & Gutenberg

When it comes to designing a website in WordPress, you have plenty of options. Divi remains one of the most versatile visual builders, and it’s the tool I’ve specialized in for years because it empowers business owners to take control of their sites without feeling like they need to become developers.

• Visual, drag-and-drop editing – You can design pages in real time, seeing exactly what your visitors will see.
• Hundreds of layout packs and modules – From portfolios to product pages, Divi comes with pre-built designs you can customize to match your brand.
• Scales with your needs – Perfect for a starter website, but powerful enough for more complex builds with custom features.
• Trusted by professionals – With a massive user base and strong community support, Divi isn’t going anywhere.

At the same time, Gutenberg (WordPress’ native editor) has matured significantly. It’s fast, lightweight, and perfect for simpler content-driven sites. Many of my projects now use a hybrid workflow—leveraging Gutenberg for straightforward content and Divi for custom layouts or advanced design work.

The real benefit? You’re not locked in. With WordPress, you can choose the toolset that fits your business today and adapt it as your needs evolve.

Not every website is built on WordPress. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace have grown popular for their simplicity, and more hosting companies are now offering AI-powered website builders that promise to launch a site in minutes.

These can be good options if:

• You need something fast and simple (like a personal blog or event site).
• You’re on a tight budget and don’t need much customization.
• You’re comfortable staying within the limitations of the platform.

But there are trade-offs to consider:

• Ownership and flexibility – Unlike WordPress, you don’t fully control hosting or export options. If you outgrow the platform, moving your site elsewhere can be difficult.
• Customization limits – Design and functionality are restricted to what the platform allows.
• Scalability – Great for starting out, but less ideal for businesses that plan to grow.

My Take: Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and AI builders can be a quick starting point, but they’re usually stepping stones—not long-term business solutions. If you want a website you truly own and can grow with, WordPress remains the strongest foundation.

Owning a website means more than just launching it and hoping for the best. There are several types of website services every owner should understand — some you’ll need right away, others you may grow into over time.

When I first started building websites, I made the mistake of not always explaining all the services that go into making a site successful. I was afraid of overwhelming clients with too many details. But I quickly learned that when I skipped over things like SEO or content optimization, some clients would later come back and ask why I never mentioned them. That experience taught me an important lesson: it’s better to give a clear overview up front — even if not every service is needed right away — so you know what’s possible and what to expect.

With that in mind, here are the core services most business owners should be aware of. Some of these I personally provide, and others I may recommend trusted partners for — but my goal is always to help you make informed decisions.

Core Services Most Businesses Need

• Web Design & Development – Building the site itself, including layout, user experience, branding, and functionality. At Monterey Premier, we specialize in custom WordPress and Divi websites that are responsive, SEO-ready, and built to grow with your business.
• Hosting – Where your site “lives” online. Options range from budget shared hosting to premium managed WordPress hosting. Reliable hosting is critical for speed, uptime, and security.
• Domain Management – Securing and renewing your domain name (yourwebsite.com), and setting up related email accounts if needed.
• Maintenance & Security – Ongoing updates, backups, and monitoring to keep your site safe and running smoothly.

Services That Support Growth

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Making sure your site is discoverable on Google and AI-powered search engines through keyword optimization, structured data, and content strategy.
• Content Creation – Copywriting, blogging, photography, and video production that keep your site fresh and engaging.
• eCommerce Solutions – Online stores, payment gateways, and order management for businesses that sell products or services online.
• Marketing Integrations – Tools like email marketing, CRMs, chatbots, and analytics to connect your website with your broader marketing efforts.

Why It Matters

A successful website doesn’t come from design alone — it’s the combination of the right services working together. By knowing what kinds of services exist, you’ll be better prepared to decide where to invest your time and budget. And whether I provide the service myself or connect you with someone who does, my goal is to make sure you’re never left wondering, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”

Want the Full Breakdown of Website Services?

This overview is just the beginning. Every website owner will eventually encounter a range of services beyond the basics — from SEO and AI optimization to eCommerce and advanced integrations. To help you see the full landscape, I’ve created a detailed resource: The Complete Guide to Website Services for Business Owners. It’s designed to give you the big picture so you can plan ahead and make confident decisions.

What Is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization helps your site appear in search results. Without SEO, even the most beautiful site will remain invisible.

Why SEO Matters in 2025

Google now displays AI overviews and more zero-click results—meaning people may find answers without visiting your site. This makes it even more important to:

• Appear in featured snippets.
• Provide authoritative, structured content.
• Use schema markup for AI readability.

How AI Is Changing Search

AI is influencing both how search engines rank content and how users consume it. Tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, SurferSEO, and RankIQ can help with:

• Keyword research.
• Content optimization.
• Predicting trends.
• Automating schema.

Owning a website isn’t just about launching it—it’s about keeping it safe, reliable, and performing at its best. Think of it like owning a car: if you never change the oil, eventually it breaks down.

Why Maintenance Matters

Websites are never “one-and-done.” Regular maintenance ensures your investment continues to work for you long after launch:

• Compatibility – Plugins, themes, and WordPress core evolve constantly. Updates keep your site running smoothly.
• Security – Patching vulnerabilities helps protect your site from hackers and malware.
• Backups – Daily backups give you peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
• Performance – Optimization keeps your site fast, which is critical for SEO and user experience.

Common Security Threats in 2025

The digital landscape is changing fast. Today’s threats go beyond the basics:

• Malware and phishing attempts that can infect visitors.
• AI-generated attacks designed to mimic real user behavior and bypass weak defenses.
• Brute-force login attempts targeting weak passwords.
• Outdated plugins and themes that leave doors wide open to hackers.

What’s Included in a Maintenance Plan

A professional website maintenance plan typically covers:

• Regular software updates (WordPress core, plugins, themes)
• Security monitoring and firewalls
• Daily offsite backups
• Performance optimization (caching, image compression, database cleanup)
• Emergency support for unexpected issues

DIY vs Professional Maintenance

Yes, you can handle updates and backups yourself. But for business-critical websites, professional management is worth the investment. It saves you time, reduces risks, and ensures your website is cared for with the same attention you’d give any other valuable asset in your business.

White-Glove Website Management Services

For business owners who don’t want to worry about the “what ifs,” I offer a White-Glove Website Management service starting at $200/month.

This is more than basic maintenance. It’s a custom, high-level service that combines:

• Premium WordPress Managed Hosting through my partnership with Pressable (a trusted, enterprise-level hosting provider backed by Automattic, the creators of WordPress.com).
• My professional oversight—drawing on years of experience with domains, hosting, WordPress, SEO, and website security.

Introducing Jetpack Complete

Another benefit of my White-Glove Website Management service is that it comes with Jetpack Complete, Automattic’s premium all-in-one WordPress suite. 

With Jetpack Complete, you’ll get:

• Real-time backups so your site can be restored instantly if anything goes wrong.
• Automated security scanning to protect against malware, hacks, and vulnerabilities.
• Spam and brute-force protection to keep your site clean and secure.
• Performance tools like image CDN and faster load times for better SEO and user experience.

By bundling Jetpack Complete into my White-Glove Website Management services, I give you the confidence of knowing your site is protected, optimized, and monitored by both me and the very team behind WordPress.com.